A Mead Project source page

Originally published as:

Franklin H. Martin. "The Council and Commission Make Rapid
Progress." Chapter 16 in The Joy of Living: An Autobiography Vol. 2: The
World War. Garden City, N.Y.: Doubleday, Doran & Co. (1933):136- 152.

Editors' notes

This chapter from Martin's autobiography is the best available record
of the activities of the Council of National Defence's Advisory
Commission. It is based on diaries he kept at the time, later published
the Congress as part of the record of World War I.

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The Joy of Living

Chapter 16: The Council and Commission Make Rapid Progress

Franklin H. Martin

AIRCRAFT PRODUCTION BOARD

ΑPRΙL 12—Council of National Defense. Howard
Coffin, the Chairman of the Committee on Munitions of the Commission, had
devoted much time and study to the development of our aircraft activity, and the
subject had been discussed at length by the Council and Commission. But it was
not until April 12 that actual steps were taken to form a separate unit to
concentrate upon this important branch. On that day a letter was read at the
meeting of the Council by Dr. C. D. Walcott, Chairman of the Executive Committee
of the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics, an official body which had
been formed March 3, 1915.

This letter, bearing date of April 10, recommended
that the Council appoint an Aircraft Production Board "to consider the situation
in relation to the quantity production of aircraft in the United States, and to
co-operate with the officers of the Army and Navy, and of other departments
interested in the production and delivery to these departments of the needed
aircraft in accordance with the requirements of each department." It further
recommended "that a joint technical board of the Army and Navy be organized for
determining specifications and methods of inspection for all aircraft required
for the two services."

Commissioner Coffin was asked to take the Chairmanship of the Board and to
select the personnel thereof.

"The Director read a letter, of date April 9,
1917, from the Secretary of Labor:

"I am advised by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of
this Department that a large amount of sickness and a number of deaths have
resulted from the

(
137) use of tetrachlorethane in this country in the preparation of the wings
of airplanes. I am also advised that a non-poisonous substitute has been found
by the British, the chemical composition of which for military reasons has not
been disclosed...."

The Director was instructed to communicate with
the Bureau of Standards and the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics in
an effort to obtain from them the formula for the non-poisonous substitute
mentioned. Secretary Baker stated he would cable to England if the information
could not be otherwise obtained.

Advisory Commission. The action pertaining
to the proposed Aircraft Production Board was duly reported by the Director at
the meeting of the Commission later that same afternoon, and "it was understood
that Commissioner Coffin would proceed with the organization of such a board and
report to the Commission at the next meeting."

The development of this branch of our defense
thenceforward occupied a conspicuous and important rôle in the Government's
activities.

COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC INFORMATION

The question of Federal censorship of the press
was first introduced at a meeting of the Advisory Commission on April 2, and
presented to a Joint Meeting on the following day. Consideration was deferred,
as Secretary Baker advised that Secretary Daniels, himself a veteran newspaper
man, had been placed in charge of this important matter by the President,
following Cabinet discussions.

"The President's action in creating the Committee
on Public Information was based on the following letter signed by the
Secretaries of State, War, and Navy:

"April 13, 1917.

"DEAR MR. PRESIDENT:

"Even though the co-operation of the press has
been generous and patriotic, there i s a steadily developing need for some
authoritative agency to assure the publication of all the vital facts of
national defense. Premature or ill-advised announcements of policies, plans, and
specific activities, whether innocent or otherwise, would constitute a source of
danger... .

"It is our opinion that the two
functions—censorship and publicity—can be joined in honesty and with profit, and
we recommend the creation of a

(
138) Committee of Public Information. The chairman should be a civilian,
preferably some writer of proved courage, ability, and vision, able to gain the
understanding co-operation of the press and at the same time rally the authors
of the country to a work of service. Other members should be the Secretary of
State, the Secretary of War, the Secretary of the Navy, or an officer or
officers detailed to the work by them... .

"The committee, upon appointment, can proceed to
the framing of regulations and the creation of machinery that will safeguard all
information of value to an enemy and at the same time open every department of
government to the inspection of the people as far as possible. Such regulations
and such machinery will, of course, be submitted for your approval before
becoming effective."[1]

April 14. President Wilson issued the following
executive order:

"I hereby create a Committee on Public
Information, to be composed of the Secretary of State, the Secretary of War, the
Secretary of the Navy, and a civilian who shall be charged with the executive
direction of the committee. As civilian chairman of the committee I appoint Mr.
George Creel. The Secretary of State, the Secretary of War, and the Secretary of
the Navy are authorized each to detail an officer or officers to the work of the
committee."[1]

Mr. Creel, as Chairman of the Committee on Public
Information, directed publication of the Οfficial Bulletin. This was issued
daily, except Sunday, from May 10, 1917, until well into 1919, and contained the
official news that was released under censorship by the various departments.

Like many innovations which were initiated as war
measures, this publication was viewed as a severe curtailment of the
prerogatives of the press. However, it was soon accepted, and was looked upon by
the press, the officials of the Government, and the people, as one true summary
of the progress of the war, so far as the details could be revealed without
danger of giving important information to the enemy.

CONTROL OF VENEREAL DISEASES; ALCOHOL

April 15 and 16. At the meeting of the Commission on April 12, I asked that a
special joint meeting of the Council and Commission be called, at which I could
report upon a conference that I had arranged for Sunday, April 15, and Monday,
April 16, to discuss the problem of venereal diseases among the soldiers and
sailors. The Sunday discus-

(
139) -sion would bring together the leading professional and lay authorities
of the country, and would be under the direction of the Committee on Hygiene and
Sanitation of our General Medical Board and the Subcommittees on Venereal
Diseases and Alcohol.

Without any formal action, the Commission
authorized me to hold the conference, and, without conferring further with the
Commission, to report directly to the joint meeting of the Council and
Commission on April 17.

Two sessions of the Sunday conference were devoted
to the consideration of venereal diseases and the principal contributing factor,
excessive use of alcoholic beverages. Resolutions were formulated and a
sub-committee appointed to make a formal report of recommendations to the
Council. The resolutions:

1. . That the Departments of War and Navy officially recognize that sexual
continence i s compatible with health and that it is the best prevention of
venereal infections.

2. That the Departments of War and Navy take steps toward the prevention of
venereal infections through the exclusion of prostitutes within an effective
zone surrounding all places under their control, and by the provision of
suitable recreational facilities, the control of the use of alcoholic drinks,
and other effective measures.

3. That the said Departments adopt a plan for centralized control of venereal
infections through special divisions of their medical services.

4. That the said Departments consider the plan of organization herewith
attached."

(This plan provided for the use of existing
organizations, clinics for the treatment of venereal diseases, hospitals, etc.,
on a part-time basis, so that the practitioner of medicine could continue his
civil practice part-time, and yet give ample time to his military duties—a plan
which had worked most efficiently in Canada and other countries at war.)

The introductory paragraphs of the resolution on
Alcohol contained clauses referring to the importance of alcoholic beverages as
a factor in spreading venereal diseases in the Army and Navy; the seriousness of
those diseases in disabling the soldiers and sailors; impairment of industrial
efficiency in munitions factories and on farms through the use of alcoholic
beverages; and the enormous quantities of food materials diverted to the
manufacture of these beverages which owing to the

(
140) alarming shortage of food reserves should be conserved not only for our
own needs, but also for those of our Allies. The resolutions:

"Be It Resolved that the President and Congress be
asked to suppress the manufacture, importation and sale of intoxicating liquors
until after the close of the war.

"We endorse the action of the Army and Navy in
prohibiting alcoholic beverages within military places i n their control and we
further recommend that the sale or use of alcoholic beverages be prohibited to
soldiers and sailors within an effective zone about such places."

Although the resolutions were approved in their
entirety by the Executive Committee of the General Medical Board on Monday,
April 16, later consideration convinced me that, for presentation to the

Council, the recommendations would better be confined to the Army and Navy.
Therefore, the paragraphs bearing upon other than strictly military
considerations were, for the time, omitted, and the concluding paragraph was
converted into a resolution, reading:

"Be It Resolved, that we endorse the action of the
Army and Navy in the prohibition of alcoholic beverages within military places;
and we further recommend the prohibition of the use of alcoholic beverages
within an effective zone about such places."

April 17. Early on this morning Chairman Willard
of the Commission hurriedly called me by telephone and announced that he was
calling a special meeting of the Commission for 10 o'clock to consider the
action of our conference on venereal diseases that was to be reported to the
joint meeting of the Council and Commission at 11 :30. "The action of your
Sunday conference has precipitated a great amount of criticism and opposition
that may require suppression of your report," was the substance of his further
comment.

I was much concerned. Never before during our four
months' association had the action of my Section been criticized or given
anything but enthusiastic support by my confrères.

Advisory Commission. As I reached the
committee room a few minutes before the meeting was to be called to order, I was
met by Messrs. Rosenwald, Baruch, Coffin, and other members of the Commission,
all of whom, including the Director, were ready for action. They informally
inquired: "What have you been doing?" as they

(
140) showed telegrams and letters of protest from everywhere. Too amazed to
say anything, and not appreciating what it was all about, I decided to make no
replies until the opening of the meeting revealed the difficulty. I did not have
long to wait, as everybody was there in advance of the specified time, and the
meeting was soon called to order.

Immediately, and without preliminaries, my friend,
Samuel Gompers, who was sitting across the table from me, jumped up, and,
leaning over with his finger pointing to me, began a harangue that astonished
me.

"What have you been doing? Sold out to the
so-called social hygienists and the prohibition fanatics, long-haired men and
short-haired women? You shall not make the war an opportunity for these
complacent so-called reformers to accomplish their nefarious work! When have
fighting men been preached to on the beneficence of continence? The millennium
has not arrived, and until it does your pronouncements of yesterday will not be
accepted! Real men will be men! And you employ this subtle propaganda in an
appeal to the fathers and mothers of young men to foist prohibition upon the men
and women of our country without their consent!"

These were a few of the old Chief's sentiments. He
had worked himself into a frenzy, and, as I was now fully aware of what had
precipitated this hurried get-together, my sense of humor came to my rescue. I
stood, addressed the Chair, calmly observed that we had a scheduled meeting for
a half hour hence with the Council, which included members of the Cabinet, and
said that I wished to remind the Chair that Commissioner Gompers was out of
order—that there was no business before the Commission. Mr. Gompers stopped
short, and the Chairman asked me if I had with me the resolutions passed at the
Sunday meeting, and which I expected to bring before the Council. I informed him
that I had, and that with his consent I would present them and move that they be
recommended to the Council. I then read the two sets of resolutions.

As I finished reading, and moved their approval,
Mr. Gompers said: "Well, read them all." I replied that I had read the
resolutions, all of them that I proposed to present to the Council as
recommendations of the General Medical Board.

Mr. Rosenwald immediately said: "I don't see
anything the matter

(
142) with those resolutions. I second the recommendations." Messrs. Baruch,
Coffin, and the Chairman expressed their approval. It was apparent that the
storm was subsiding.

Mr. Gompers, although he had settled down into his
usual peaceful manner, was not satisfied that something of the report had not
been suppressed. Finally he said, "I would like to amend the final paragraph of
the resolution i n reference to alcoholic beverages, by changing the word
`prohibition' to `control." I immediately accepted that amendment.

The resolutions were then approved, all members
voting but Mr. Gompers. He then inquired i f I myself would present the
resolutions to the Council. I said that a committee appointed by the conference
would present the resolutions. "Who constitutes the committee?" he inquired. I
recited the personnel. "Who will be the spokesman?" I informed him.

He again broke forth in vigorous protest. "That
only confirms what I have contended, namely, that this whole movement has been
planned to foist prohibition on the public. I protest against the presentation
of these resolutions by that individual."

The old Chief was in such a state of mind that I
realized everything should be done to appease his wrath. The time was short. We
were already due at the Secretary of War's office. The members of the Commission
were looking to me for an answer.

I immediately replied that while I did not agree
with the premises upon which Mr. Gompers' remarks were based, his last point was
well taken. Hence I would assume the responsibility and comply with his request.

I realized that there would be a crisis if this
important program of the General Medical Board were to receive the opposition of
the leader of organized labor. On the way to Secretary Baker's office Mr.
Gompers, to whom I had attached myself, explained his attitude by informing me
that hundreds of letters and telegrams in opposition to our plans had been
received by the President, the Cabinet officers, and the members of the
Commission. I only responded: "Were they all in opposition?"

Joint Meeting. As we arrived at the State,
War, and Navy Building, I found the conference rooms crowded. The members of the
Cabinet who composed the Council were seated in their usual horseshoe ar=

(
143) -rangement back of the large table, and the seats in front reserved for
the seven members of the Commission and the Director. In a semicircle back of us
were the committee of the conference, members of the Committee on Hygiene and
Sanitation, the Surgeons General, and other members of the General Medical
Board, invited guests.

I sought out three members of the committee who
had been selected to make the report—the Chairman, Dr. Haven Emerson, and Dr.
Theodore Janeway—and invited them into the anteroom. I asked the Chairman to
allow Haven Emerson to present the report on venereal diseases, and Dr. Janeway
the report on alcoholic beverages. There were momentary protests, but I begged
the men not to delay matters and create a suspicion that there were
difficulties. They were good soldiers. We then marched back into the room.

Secretary Daniels, who was presiding in the
absence of Secretary Baker, beckoned to me. He said, "Doctor, I understand that
there is an organized opposition to your resolutions that were adopted Sunday.
In conversation with the President and the Secretary of War they have expressed
their approval without change. I hope under this pressure you have not altered
the resolutions in any way. If so, it is better to adjourn the meeting without
action."

"We have had some misunderstanding, but with the
change of one word in our resolutions, pertaining to strictly military
considerations, they are intact. For heaven's sake," I urged, "don't adjourn the
meeting. The Council must provide means of administering the recommendations,
which leaves the whole organization of personnel and regulation in our own
hands."

This last hurdle having been surmounted on this
eventful morning, the meeting proceeded. The resolutions on venereal diseases
and alcoholic beverages, as presented to and amended by the Commission, were
read by Drs. Emerson and Janeway respectively, and adopted.

Subsequently, a special Commission on Training
Camp Activities was appointed by the Council to carry out the provisions of the
resolutions, with Mr. Raymond B. Fosdick of New York as Chairman.

MODEST ORIGIN OF THE EIGHTEENTH AMENDMENT

No war regulation that was promulgated by the
General Medical Board of the Council, nor by any other authority during the war,
had a

(
144) more far-reaching effect upon the subsequent history of our country
than those simple resolutions that were the outcome of our meeting in Washington
on April 15. Mr. Gompers was right. While I am sure the authors of the
resolutions did not realize what the consequence might be, nor contemplate any
action beyond the control of venereal diseases, the effect was dynamic. Every
father and mother of the 5,000,000 civilian boys who were eligible as volunteers
or draftees, whether or not the parents themselves had prohibitionary
tendencies, welcomed this regulation that would control the use of alcoholic
beverages in camps and overseas.

When the camps throughout the land were in
operation, visiting relatives found each of the great temporary cities
surrounded by a guarded zone that kept out prostitutes and prohibited alcohol;
they found also that moving pictures, Y.M.C.A., Knights of Columbus, Salvation
Army, and Red Cross rest and recreation houses had been substituted for these
menacing influences. Preparation for war involved wholesome influences that
frequently did not exist at home! Soft and wholesome drinks were served i n
places with entrance doors open; this in contrast to the closed doors and bars
of saloons in so many home towns.

What a satisfaction this revelation was to all
sane-thinking men and women! Soon those who had been indifferent or even
antagonistic to the propaganda for the elimination of intoxicating beverages
began to wonder: "Why not? See what i t is doing for our boys, our men, and our
women who are now serving i n our camps!"

In a short time this regulation, which applied to
soldiers in camps, was extended to every soldier, whether private or officer,
wherever he might be. A soldier in uniform could, when on leave, visit hotels,
restaurants, and other places where alcoholic drinks were served; but it was
made a misdemeanor for the management to serve "liquor" to soldiers in uniform
and for the soldier to drink it if he were served.

This measure profoundly influenced the minds of
the civilian population of the Nation. Was there ever a more fertile soil or a
more promising atmosphere in which the propagandist for temperance could ply his
work? The momentum developed by this wartime measure of the medical profession
was a firm foundation for the peacetime eighteenth amendment.

(
145) At a special meeting of the Council on May i, the Director presented a
draft of a proposed press statement that I had prepared concerning the control
of venereal diseases and the regulation of the use of alcohol in the Army and
Navy. This was modified and approved. It read in part as follows:

"... Zones about the military
commands will ... be created and conditions in these zones will be guarded by
military measures so as to prevent the spread of venereal diseases. The two
military arms of the Government officially recognize that continence is
compatible with health.

"The Council also recommends,
as a further solution to the problem, that all military commands be provided
with good facilities for the recreation of the troops. It urges that all
suitable athletics be encouraged.

"The use of alcoholic
beverages on the part of soldiers and sailors in military commands has long been
under military control. But the creation now of these military zones will in
effect extend such control over the troops when they are off duty out of the
commands...."

April 18—Council of National Defense. The activities of the Federal Shipping
Board were assuming importance, and it was apparent that a definite
understanding should be arrived at to bring closer co-opera-

tion and harmony. Hence the following recommendation by Secretary Lane, made
at this special meeting of the Council:

“.. Secretary Lane was requested to confer with
Chairman Denman, of the Federal Shipping Board, in an effort to bring about
closer co-operation and harmony between the program of the Shipping Board and
the needs and activities of the Army and Navy, Chairman Willard's Transportation
Committee, and other departments of the Government; and also to confer with
Chairman Denman, in conjunction with Secretary Daniels, Secretary Redfield, and
Chairman Willard, as to the advisability of delaying construction of the larger
battleships and cruisers, to permit the utilization of those shipbuilding
facilities in the construction of small ships."

Organized labor was constantly observant of the
problems which involved labor adjustments. It was our reaction that labor, under
the guidance of Mr. Gompers and Secretary of Labor Wilson, was anxious to play
its part in a patriotic manner. These two leaders were concerned lest the
Government should be embarrassed by their internal differences, hence:

"The Director brought to the attention of the
Council the request made by Commissioner Gompers to the Advisory Commission that
his labor com-

(
146) -mittee be authorized to appoint committees on mediation and
conciliation, under which local committees would be organized, for the purpose
of cooperating with other established mediation agencies in the adjustment of
labor disputes. It was moved and carried, that the matter be referred to the
Secretary of Labor and the Director."

Big business was alarmed at the prospect of losing
its key men, from both the managerial and industrial sides, as many were intent
upon enlisting. This was looming as a serious problem at a time when the best
services of these important men would be required in the manufacture of
munitions. Hence:

"The Director referred to a letter received from
Judge Gary, of the U.S. Steel Corporation, stating difficulties encountered in
losing men by enlistment, and asking some expression from the Government as to
the industrial reserve. Secretary Baker stated he thought it unwise and
impolitic to advance at this time any assurance that a particular group or class
of men would be excluded."

April 19—Council of National Defense. The Director
read the following telegram, framed to be sent over the signature of the
Secretary of War to the Governors of the States:

"A National Defense Conference to consist of one
delegate from each State for the purpose of considering the relationship of
State and Federal activities in the prosecution of the war, and the methods of
organization of State and local defense committees and of their co-operation
with the Council of National Defense, will be held in Washington at the office
of the Secretary of War on Wednesday, May second, at ten a.m.

"I request that you send as a delegate the head,
or some representative, of your State Council of Defense or similar committee,
if such has been appointed, or if none has been appointed, that you send someone
to represent you thereat."

THE RAILROADS

On April 7, Commissioner Willard had been
requested by the Council "to call upon the railroads to so organize their
business as to lead to the greatest expedition in the movement of freight." In
accordance with that request, he wired the presidents of all important railroads
in the United States, asking them to meet him in Washington on April 11. Between
forty-five and fifty presidents responded to the call, and all

"After hearing a statement of the situation, the
railroads unanimously adopted the attached resolution and agreement which sets
forth their purpose and also explains the method by which they expect to give
effect to that purpose. This resolution was signed by all present at the
meeting, and a committee consisting of Messrs. Fairfax Harrison, President,
Southern Railway; Samuel Rea, President, Pennsylvania Railroads; Julius
Kruttschnitt, Chairman, Executive Committee, Southern Pacific Systems; and Hale
Holden, President, Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, was appointed to sit
permanently in Washington and deal with the matter along the lines indicated in
the resolution...."

The resolution:

1. That the whole problem of co-operation with the
Government be committed to the present Special Committee on National Defense of
the American Railway Association... .

2. That the Special Committee be enlarged by
additions to a total of approximately twenty-five members.

3. That an Executive Committee, selected from the
twenty-five members of the Special Committee on National Defense, consisting of
the Chairman of the Special Committee, who shall also be Chairman of the
Executive Committee, and four other members to be selected by him, be created,
such Executive Committee to sit in Washington in frequent or if necessary
continuous session.

4. That Mr. Willard, as Chairman of the Advisory
Commission of the Council of National Defense, be ex officio a member of the
Executive Committee.

"That the Interstate Commerce Commission be
invited to designate one of its members to be ex officio a member of the
Executive Committee.

5. That the railways agree to the direction of the
Executive Committee of five in all matters to which its authority extends, as
expressed in the resolution heretofore adopted, and to which we hereby
subscribe; and that the General Secretary of the American Railway Association be
instructed to secure the execution by signature of all American railways."

LABOR

April 21—Council of National Defense. A statement,
prepared under the direction of Mr. Gompers of the Committee on Labor of the
Con-mission, was ordered to be given to the press. It set forth the attitude of
organized labor in regard to labor and standards of living during the

(
148) present emergency of war. It stated "that neither employers nor
employees shall endeavor to take advantage of the country's necessities to
change existing standards.... There have been established by legislation, by
mutual agreement between employers and employees, or by custom, certain
standards constituting a day's work." These varied from seven hours in some
kinds of work to twelve hours per day in continuous operation plants. It was
felt that no changes should be urged at this time in hours of labor or standards
of living that would embarrass the Government. If difficulties should arise,
they should be adjusted by negotiations without stoppage of labor.

Mr. Frank A. Scott was authorized to form a
committee, composed of himself as Chairman, representatives of the Departments
of Commerce, Agriculture, and Interior, the Federal Trade Commission, and others
he might wish to select, to consult with Commissioner Baruch in the solution of
the price problems.

Secretary Houston was troubled by the nature of
the published announcement of the appointment of Mr. Hoover "as Chairman of a
committee on food supply and prices," as he felt that the publicity "had created
undesirable impressions in the public mind to the serious embarrassment of the
Department of Agriculture." He proposed a resolution which had for its purpose
defining the supposed duties of Mr. Hoover.

This resolution of Mr. Houston's, which was given
to the press, was premature and misleading, as it conveyed the idea that Mr.
Hoover would act only in an advisory capacity to the Council and to the
Department of Agriculture. There were few appointments made during the war that
met with such popular enthusiasm as did the appointment of Mr. Hoover to the
control of the Food Administration.

On May 21, the President explained the powers
asked of Congress regarding food supplies, as follows :[2]

"It is very desirable, in order to prevent
misunderstandings or alarms and to assure co-operation in a vital matter, that
the country should understand exactly the scope and purpose of the very great
powers which I have thought i t necessary i n the circumstances to ask the
Congress to put in my hands with regard to our food supplies... .

"Objects Sought to Be Served. The objects
sought to be served by the legislation asked for are: Full inquiry into the
existing available stocks of foodstuffs

(
149) and into the costs and practices of the various food producing and
distributing trades; the prevention of all unwarranted hoarding of every kind
and of the control of foodstuffs by persons who are not in any legitimate sense
producers, dealers, or traders; the requisitioning when necessary for the public
use of food supplies and of the equipment necessary for handling them properly;
the licensing of wholesome and legitimate mixtures and milling percentages; and
the prohibition of the unnecessary or wasteful use of foods. Authority is asked
also to establish prices, but not in order to limit the profits of the farmers,
but only to guarantee to them when necessary a minimum price which will insure
them a profit where they are asked to attempt new crops and to secure the
consumer against extortion by breaking up corners and attempts at speculation
when they occur by fixing temporarily a reasonable price at which middlemen must
sell.

"Mr. Hoover to Head Task. I have asked Mr.
Herbert Hoover to undertake this all-important task of food administration. He
has expressed his willingness to do so on condition that he is to receive no
payment for his services and that the whole of the force under him, exclusive of
clerical assistance, shall be employed so far as possible upon the same
volunteer basis. He has expressed his confidence that this difficult matter of
food administration can be successfully accomplished through the voluntary
co-operation and direction of legitimate distributors of foodstuffs and with the
help of the women of the country...."

It was voted that a Committee on Women's Defense
Work be appointed, with Dr. Anna Howard Shaw as Chairman.

It was voted that a Committee on Shipping be
appointed "to advise the Council of National Defense as to the best methods of
increasing the tonnage available for shipment to the Allies."

LABOR AND INDUSTRY

April 23—Advisory Commission. Samuel
Gompers had worked heroically from the beginning of our sittings as an Advisory
Commission to maintain harmony between labor and industry. As an early step in
his program he had succeeded in having a representative committee of prominent
labor leaders of England sent over by the British Government. These men had
arrived, and were to appear soon before the Council and Commission.

It was deemed necessary, in the interest of the
work of the General Medical Board, that we be informed on matters of medical,
surgical, and sanitary progress among the allied armies in Europe. Drs. J. M. T.

(
150) Finney of Baltimore, and George E. Brewer and Charles L. Gibson of New
York (all officers in the U. S. Army Medical Reserve Corps) had volunteered to
obtain such information at their own expense by personal visits abroad. A
resolution, in which I asked for Council approval of such a commission, was
approved, with the understanding that the commission contemplated therein be
considered a part of the general scheme for the interchange of such commissions
when developed. More comprehensive plans including other departments were being
considered, as I learned in an interview with the President, which I was
accorded on the following day.

Three days later I proposed a resolution which
involved a study commission "with headquarters in Paris and in London, endowed
with authority, funds, and technical assistants to study the operations and
experience of the English and French sanitary services ..." the said study
commissions to be comprised of civilian physicians and sanitarians with proper
qualifications, and experience abroad during the present conflict, to be
selected by the General Medical Board; and a central group of members of the U.
S. Army Medical Corps, to be selected by the Surgeon General of the Army,
empowered to organize plans for a foreign branch of the U. S. Sanitary Service
to be in readiness in the event of arrival of United States troops in Europe;
the study commission "to recommend to the American Government plans and orders
for the equipment, personnel, and supplies for an adequate sanitary service in
Europe, capable of co-operating with our Allies."

April 26—Advisory Commission. The Director
read a resolution recommending "that the Council urge upon Congress the
desirability of incorporating in all appropriations for the national defense a
clause granting to the President, for the duration of war, power to transfer
funds from the specific uses stated by Act to such other purposes within any
department, as may, in his opinion, be more essential to the national security
and welfare."

This resolution had been prepared by a committee
of the General Munitions Board, comprising Howard Coffin, Major P. E. Pierce,
Paymaster Hancock, and Dr. Martin, and adopted by that Board on the previous
day. Now, on motion of Mr. Coffin, the Commission formally approved it, but it
was tabled by the Council on April 28.

(
151)

April 27—Council of National Defense. Mr.
Willard stated that the French Ambassador had communicated with him in reference
to sending to France railroad supplies and a large force of American engineers
and skilled laborers to aid in the reconstruction of their railway system, and
Mr. Willard brought up the question of their status, compensation, etc.
Secretary Baker moved, and i t was so voted, that the Council approve of sending
such aid to France. It was suggested that the Commission should prepare and
submit to the Council specific recommendations on this subject.

Mr. Charles M. Schwab appeared i n reference to
constructing steel ships for the British. He was requested to confer with
Chairman Denman of the Shipping Board, and to discuss the matter further at the
Council's next meeting.

April 28—Council of National Defense. At a
special meeting of the Council the resolution defining and enlarging the
jurisdiction of the Munitions Board, as adopted by the Commission on April 26
for recommendation to the Council, was considered, and the first two
sections—relating to materials in which difficulty of procurement seemed
probable and establishment of delivery priorities seemed essential—were
authorized. The third section, relating to terms of contracts and determination
of fair prices, was referred to the Committee on Prices, F. A. Scott, Chairman,
for recommendations as to policy.

These departmental and governmental authorizations
of a definite nature that were so necessary if the Munitions Board was to
function efficiently, were of the greatest importance.

As to the resolution adopted by the Commission on
April 26, requesting determination of the relative urgency of demands made by
the major groups

"It was the sense of the meeting that as between
the Army and Navy, priority should be given to such needs of the Navy as are
intended to be completed within a period of one year; that as to supplies for
belligerents, the question of priority in each instance should be determined by
the representative of the particular belligerent and the head of the department
interested; and that the wooden ship program should be pressed forward to the
exclusion of all else not immediately and vitally necessary."

(
152)

The committee's recommendation that a committee on
international munition standards be created was ordered "referred to the War
College as a committee to report to the Council."

Secretary Baker, in discussing the advisability of
sending representatives to Paris and London for exchange of technical
information, to facilitate co-operative action, as suggested by the
recommendation of the Advisory Commission adopted April 26, stated that
conferences with English and French representatives "had developed the belief
that the wisest and most advantageous course would be to have the foreign expert
advisers stationed here, in intimate touch with our operations, and relieved at
frequent intervals by others arriving fresh from activities abroad."

Notes

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